BEST is the acronym for Board of European Students of Technology. We are a non-governmental, apolitical and non-profit organization designed and created by technology students from all over Europe. Formed in 1989 with the aim of strengthening relations between students, universities and companies, we are a dynamic and growing organization. Our main activities are based on providing complementary education, career support and educational involvement. We currently have more than 3300 members, spread across 96 BEST local groups in 34 European countries. You can find out more about our story here.
We believe that the future of Europe goes by the creation of a diverse environment that helps students reach their full potential and act responsibly. Our vision - Empowered Diversity - aspires to understanding and respecting different cultures and societies. Our mission - Developing Students - motivates us to help students develop an international mindset, in order to reach a better understanding of different cultures, as well as to develop the ability to work in culturally diverse environments. BEST creates opportunities for students' personal development and helps them reach their potential.
Each member of BEST is guided by 5 values, which translate our actions:
Lisbon welcomed BEST since the beginning. Thanks to a group of students from Instituto Superior Técnico (IST), who sought to create and strengthen ties with other technology students, inside and outside Portugal, BEST Lisboa is one of the thirteen founding members of this organization. Our local group has been one of the most active and dynamic nationally and internationally. Years have passed and, as a result of the commitment of our members, we have been able to develop more and better initiatives. In 1992, we organized the first BEST Season Course; in 2002, the EBEC - European BEST Engineering Competition - and more recently (in 2012), we added to our portfolio of annual events the BEST Inside View. The growth of our events has also been associated the increase of our members, and we can now count on students not only from IST but also from other institutions of the University of Lisbon, such as Faculty of Sciences and Faculty of Pharmacy.
Corporate Relations (CR)This is the Department that bridges BEST Lisboa with companies. As a non-profit organization that we are, we need to establish partnerships with companies in order to obtain the necessary financial support for the organization of each event. The team responsible for CR ensures that these partnerships make sense to our organization and are advantageous to all involved.
Human Resources (HR)The most important part of an organization like BEST are the volunteers. The HR Department is important both in the development of recruitment and in the management of all other members. This Department is responsible for ensuring that the local group has members to ensure its existence and that these are motivated people.
Public Relations (PR)Would it be worth developing a number of initiatives and opportunities for students if they were not used? Of course not! That is why there is the Department of PR, to bring to the students all the work we do. This team is also responsible for creating and strengthening relationships with other student groups and organizations and for spreading BEST in society at large.
Information Technology (IT)It is thanks to this Department that this website exists! This team is responsible for maintaining BEST Lisboa's online platforms, as well as ensuring that members have access to the tools they need to carry out their work.
DesignThis Department is responsible for making design materials to BEST Lisbon to preserve its image.